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Average Price: $468
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$701+
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Description
The Fender Bassbreaker 18/30W combo amplifier is a sonic powerhouse that brings vintage charm into the modern realm. Designed for musicians who demand versatility and rich tone, this amp combines two distinct personalities into one compact package. Featuring a 30W Blackface channel and an 18W Brownface Deluxe channel, it offers a unique tonal palette that spans from sparkling cleans to gritty, overdriven textures. The quartet of EL84 tubes ensures rapid power tube saturation, providing dynamic responsiveness and warm tube character.
Whether you're grooving in the studio or rocking the stage, the Bassbreaker 18/30W adapts effortlessly to your playing style. It is equipped with two Celestion V-Type speakers, which deliver a balanced sound with a tight low end and articulate highs. The flexible channel-switching options allow you to explore a variety of sounds, making this amp an ideal choice for musicians who crave adaptability without sacrificing quality.
Perfect for blues, rock, and everything in between, the Bassbreaker 18/30W is a testament to Fender's legacy of innovation and craftsmanship. Its rugged design and road-ready build ensure it will withstand the rigors of touring, while its tonal versatility will keep your creative juices flowing.
Key Features:
- Dual-channel design: 30W Blackface & 18W Brownface Deluxe
- Four EL84 power tubes for dynamic, responsive sound
- Two Celestion V-Type speakers for balanced tone
- Channel-switching options for versatile sound exploration
- Compact and durable build for studio or live use
Product specs
| Brand | Fender |
| Model | Bassbreaker 18/30 2-Channel 30-Watt 2x12" Guitar Combo |
| Finish | Gray Tweed |
| Year | 2016 - 2019 |
| Made In | Mexico |
| Categories | Guitar Combo Amps |
| Color Family | Grey |
| Electronics | Tube |
| Model Family | Fender Bassbreaker 18/30 |
| Number of Channels | 2 Channels |
| Number of Inputs | 1 Input |
| Output Power (Watts) | 30 |
| Power Tube Type | EL84 |
| Reverb | None |
| Series | Fender Bassbreaker |
| Speaker Configuration | 2x12" |
FAQs
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What type of music is the Fender Bassbreaker 18/30W best suited for?
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The Fender Bassbreaker 18/30W excels in genres that benefit from warm, tube-driven tones like blues, rock, and classic rock. Its dual-channel design allows for both clean and overdriven sounds, making it versatile for various musical styles.
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How loud is the Fender Bassbreaker 18/30W, and is it suitable for gigging?
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With 30 watts of power and a 2x12" speaker configuration, the Fender Bassbreaker 18/30W is loud enough for small to medium-sized gigs. Its power and tone make it a reliable choice for live performances and rehearsals.
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Does the Fender Bassbreaker 18/30W have built-in reverb?
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No, the Fender Bassbreaker 18/30W does not include built-in reverb. Users seeking reverb effects will need to use an external reverb pedal or effect unit.
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What are the tonal characteristics of the Fender Bassbreaker 18/30W?
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The Fender Bassbreaker 18/30W offers a rich, British-inspired tone with a focus on midrange warmth and clarity. Its EL84 power tubes provide a smooth overdrive that's ideal for classic rock and blues sounds.
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How does the Fender Bassbreaker 18/30W handle effects pedals?
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The Fender Bassbreaker 18/30W is well-suited for use with effects pedals, offering a responsive and dynamic tone that complements various pedal types, from overdrives to modulation effects.
Videos
Andertons Music Co
Fender Bassbreaker Amps 18/30 & 45 - Best Fender Amps Ever?
Reviews
PROS
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Delivers amazing sparkling cleans and impressive dirty tones with pedals
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Exceptionally loud for a 2x12, even at low volume settings
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Classic valve power offers unmatched tonal clarity
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Broad tonal range with no loss of tone at low volumes
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Takes pedals well, enhancing their true tones
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Lightweight yet powerful, mimicking high-end boutique amp quality
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Simple, stylish design with dark blue/black tweed and brushed steel accents
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Option to add a foot switch for convenient channel switching
CONS
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Limited built-in parameters compared to other amps
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Bassbreaker 18/30W.
Features and functionality
Use cases and applications
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Users find the 18-watt side requires high volume (6-7) to achieve desirable overdrive tones, unsuitable for small venues or rehearsal spaces.
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The Bassbreaker 18/30 is praised for handling high gain tones well in hardcore genres, akin to bands like Thrice and Rise Against.
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The amp is praised for its ability to achieve gritty, growling tones, making it suitable for styles that require a dirtier sound.
Source
Comparisons
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The amp's volume control is compared to the Vox AC-15, which offers more flexibility with its master volume.
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It's noted that the Bassbreaker 18/30 circuit resembles a vintage Bassman, which is favored when paired with a bass cab for improved sound quality.
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Owners note the Bassbreaker 18/30 has a dirtier, vintage UK sound compared to traditional Fender amps like the Deluxe Reverb or Blues series.
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User experience
Mods and upgrades
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Owners suggest replacing stock guitar speakers with extended range models for better compatibility with bass VI, enhancing low-frequency performance.
Source
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 11 Ratings
903
Fender experimented on this one
A weird amp, not quite comparable to anything I've ever played. Amazing dirty sounds which don't quite sound like other Fenders. Sounds the best on single coils since active and humbucking pickups drive it into breakup very fast even on 30w "clean" channel. For this reason I put an EQ pedal with volume rolled down in front of it when I use my actives. Really one of a kind amp that you either hate or love. Takes pedals alright, you have to mess with the EQ a bit since it's very bright (the low end will also rattle your dental filling out). I give it 4 stars because it's missing an FX loop and the lack of master volume knob makes it a little finicky to dial in. Extremely loud, wouldn't recommend for home use without an attenuator. I use it as a slightly crunchy pedal platform for vintage type metal tones like Baroness or Mastodon.
517
Live amp 2017
Used this amp for the house circuit we played in 2017 promoting Death in the Afternoon. Never recorded.
Artist usage
Add artist
At the 4:00 mark in the YouTube clip "Slaves - Beauty Quest #Woodstock2017", Laurie Vincent's Fender Bassbreaker 18/30W can be clearly seen in his stack, positioned on top of his Orange 4×12 cabinet.
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fender Bassbreaker 18/30W, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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